All change for travel jabs

7 October 2021

NHSG/56/21

As travel restrictions continue to relax, there’s a change to the way vaccines for overseas travel are offered. Instead of making an appointment with their GP, people will be able to arrange travel vaccinations at one of 35 community pharmacies across the Grampian region.

The change is part of a wider national programme which sees vaccinations move away from GPs and which has already seen the creation of dedicated ‘flu vaccine clinics.

Sarah Buchan, Pharmaceutical Services Improvement & Development Manager, said: “We are delighted to be working with the community pharmacy network in Grampian to offer this service. Citizens requiring vaccinations to travel overseas will be able to make an appointment at any of the participating pharmacies and receive their vaccines. Their medical records will be fully updated to reflect the vaccinations administered.”

Nicol Baird is Chair of Community Pharmacy Grampian. He said: “It is great to see so many pharmacies signed up to be part of this scheme. We operate at the heart of local communities and, whether people are travelling for work or leisure, we will be able to ensure they stay healthy while doing so.”

Details on which community pharmacies are participating in the scheme are available on www.grampianvax.com/travel-vaccination 

The following travel vaccinations are free on the NHS in Scotland:

• diphtheria, polio, and tetanus (combined booster)
• hepatitis A
• typhoid
• cholera

You'll likely to have to pay for vaccinations against:

• yellow fever
• Japanese encephalitis
• tick-borne encephalitis
• rabies
• malaria tablets

Additionally, you might have to pay for the following vaccinations if they're only required for travel purposes:

• hepatitis B
• meningitis
• tuberculosis (TB)